Infusion pump apparatus, method and system

Abstract

An infusion pump system is disclosed. The system includes a syringe having a plunger within the syringe barrel, the syringe having an exit end, at least one temperature determination device adjacent to the syringe, at least one device to determine the distance the plunger has moved with respect to the syringe barrel, and a pump processor in communication with the at least one temperature determination device and the at least one optical sensor, wherein when the controller determines a change in temperature and a corresponding plunger movement, the controller increases or decreases a preprogrammed basal rate of the infusion pump by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical pump system comprising:
 a syringe having a plunger movable within the syringe barrel; 
 at least one temperature determination device; 
 at least one device to determine the distance the plunger has moved with respect to the syringe barrel; and 
 a pump processor in communication with the at least one temperature determination device and the at least one device to determine the distance the plunger has moved with respect to the syringe barrel, 
 wherein when the pump processor determines a change in temperature and a corresponding plunger movement, the pump processor increases or decreases a preprogrammed basal rate of the medical pump. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising wherein when the pump processor determines an upward change in temperature and a corresponding plunger movement, the pump processor increases the preprogrammed basal rate of the infusion pump by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising wherein when the pump processor determines a downward change in temperature and a corresponding plunger movement, the pump processor decreases the preprogrammed basal rate of the infusion pump by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising wherein the at least one temperature determination device is a thermistor. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising wherein the at least one device to determine the distance the plunger has moved with respect to the syringe barrel is an optical sensor. 
     
     
       6. An infusion pump system comprising:
 a syringe having a plunger movable within the syringe; 
 at least one temperature determination device; 
 at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger; and 
 a pump processor in communication with the at least one temperature determination device and the at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger is a flow sensor located downstream from the syringe exit. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger is an occlusion device located downstream from the syringe exit wherein the occlusion device occludes a flow path, the occlusion device controlled by the pump processor. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger is at least one binary valve located downstream from the syringe exit wherein the at least one binary valve occludes a flow path, the at least one binary valve controlled by the pump processor. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger is a strain beam located in force relationship with the plunger. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one device to detect the effect of a temperature change on the movement of the plunger is at least one potentiometer. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plunger further comprising a predetermined volume of a material which undergoes a phase change during a temperature change event. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the material is wax and the wax and wherein the wax undergoes a phase change, moves the plunger forward a predetermined distance whereby the resulting change compensates for the change in volume of the syringe due to a temperature change.